CRAWFORD ELECTRIC EXPANDS FOOTPRINT INTO NEW ORLEANS

New branch eager to assist in reconstruction of city

Dallas, Texas, April 20, 2008 – Crawford Electric Supply, a subsidiary of Sonepar USA, opened a new branch in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 29, 2008. The main focus of the branch is to help with the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans by providing loc al commerci al and residenti al markets with quality service and competitive prices.

The facility will boast a 48,000 sq. ft. warehouse, with a full-service counter area with the ability to handle any and all sizes of pipe, wire, lighting, and electric al business. With brands such as GE distribution equipment, Lithonia, Pass and Seymour, Crouse Hinds, Ide al, and many others, Crawford hopes to meet all their new customers’ electric al distribution needs. The New Orleans branch will stock $3-4 million in inventory.

"Crawford Electric Supply is very excited to take part in the reconstruction of the great city of New Orleans,” said Craig Levering, President of Crawford Electric Supply. “We are dedicated to not only seeing the Crescent City rebuilt, but also doing whatever it takes to become the #1 electric al distributor in Louisiana.”

The new facility is located at 508 Time Saver Avenue, Harahan, Louisiana 70123 and employs 20 people.

About Crawford Electric Supply
Crawford Electric Supply, also known as CESCO, joined Sonepar USA in January 2007. Founded in 1986, Crawford has grown dramatically over the years. The company currently ranks 27 th among the largest electrical and lighting distributors in the U.S. for 2006, by Electrical Wholesale Magazine. Crawford is headquartered in Dallas, Texas with branches in Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, College Station, Austin, Texas and recently New Orleans, Louisiana.

About Sonepar USA
Sonepar USA is made up of the finest electric al supply distributors in the United States. The company has 4,400 associates in 11 companies operating more than 240 branches in 32 states. In 2007, Sonepar USA achieved $2.9 billion (estimated) in revenue. It is a member of the Sonepar group - the world's largest privately held electric al distributor. Worldwide, Sonepar employs over 25,250 employees, with 1,450 branch locations and 2007 annu al s ales of $15.3 billion.